Friday, 14 January 2011

Around the Bay once again. Nothing exciting at Porthpean but 1,000s of gulls sheltering from the stiff westerly wind, together with 30+, resident Fulmars and 10+ diving Gannets (and one probable Kittewake)The 1,000s of gulls were made up of double figures of GBBGs; LBBGs; and Comm.Gulls; triple figures of BHGulls and Herr.Gulls, more gulls were flying in from the east. Despite checking 100s of BHGulls not one Med Gull could be found ! Drove on to Charlestown where gulls were all flying west toward the shelter of the Porthpean cliffs. Very few diving birds could be seen (due to SUN on the water), with the exception of 2 x GNDivers and 1 x Slav.Grebe. On to Par Pool where I met Andy and Mark, and heard about today's limited Pool sightings. I went on up to overlook Par Bay where 'everything' was feeding in the shelter of the harbour wall: hundreds of gulls naturally, but also 3 x Brent Geese and 2 x Wigeon. Other birds were waders: Oystercatchers; Turnstones also 2 x Bar-T-Godwits and several Dunlin, presumably from the inner harbour.

Cornwall Bird Watching (Click below )

Friends Of Par Beach (Click Below)

St Austell

A Market Town since 1189 and has now undergone a major regeneration program .

The new shopping and leisure centre (White River Place) opened October 2009 and employs 500 - 700 people.

Imery's modernized China Clay industry employs 2000 which is a huge drop from the early 20th Century when tin, copper and china clay found in the hills made St Austell a major Cornish industrial centre.

Another industry still alive and kicking is the St Austell Brewery which celebrated 150 years of trading in 2001.

Contributors

This blog aims to provide a documented account of the Natural History and Wildlife of this small stretch of under watched headland. Your participation would be most welcomed.To contribute to this Blog. Please send any photographs(old or new), sighting or articles etc tostaustellbaywatch@yahoo.co.uk